Best CX?

[Paulq]

Over the years i have dabbled with pretty much every type of bike in my quest for finding one that's light, quick (for me, leisurely) and comfortable enough. I have a chronic neck injury that will never get better and have struggled with aggressive geometry road bikes; instead finding hybrids or flat bars more comfortable. I have also tended to favour Specialized as a brand however I don't intend to buy any more given what I perceive are much inferior kit levels on their current offerings over what I've had historically. (In addition to every bug**r) having one round here.

So, I have kinda decided that I want a CX bike as a jack of all trades. (Ok that's a lie as I have a Ridgeback hybrid which is going nowhere). I will use it for commuting, fitness, holidays, canal/railway rides etc and just generally getting off the couch. I don't want a speed machine, rather one that fits the criteria above but that is reliable enough to be a 'ride and forget' kinda thing. Needs to have eyelets back and front for full guards and rack.

Budget is intended to be around £750.

I was pretty much set on the Boardman CX Comp but am put off by them, bizarrely, omitting the eyelets on the front fork and some tales of woe about constant brake adjustment.

So what's are some really decent CX bikes available in my price/criteria range please guys?

The other conundrum I have, because of my injury, is about a bike fit. Ideally I'd like to get fitted for the bike before I buy so I can ensure I can get the right size rather than take a chance and have to spend additional cash buying new bits. Any thoughts?
Thanks again - off for a ride now

 

[vickster]

Buy the bike from a shop, not online if want a fit and avoid chains

Some shops give a bike fit with a bike, but usually you'll need to spend north of a grand

Look at the Genesis CdF/Crox de Fer (I can never remember which is the cheaper)

Also at Whyte's offerings

Or there's a used Tricross in the Classifieds for £350 if you happen to be around a 54cm (plenty left then for set up)

Where do you live, perhaps someone can recommend a good store

EBC have about the best CX offering of any retailer

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes

Or you could head up to Preston way and visit Dolan who are meant to be superb in store and getting the bike right, and you have some leeway in terms of spec (your budget gets Tiagra, rather than Sora on say a Cannondale)

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-cyclo-cross/cyclo-cross-bikes.html

Tis a boring black thing, but you can't have everything unfortunately

On the Specialized front, yes you get lower end components, but the fanboys will say that is more than made up for by the super frame. Personally, I just think they look as dull as ditch water!

 

[outlash]

I've just bought a Cannondale CAADX as a 'does everything else' bike (I might even do some CX with it too ) and so far I'm pretty pleased with it. I went with Sora as a groupset partly because if I'm going to thrash it, components are cheap(er) to replace and well, it's not a huge drop in quality from the 105 on my CAAD8.
My only real issue with it so far is I can't get the brakes adjusted properly (they're canti's) and it's only got one set of mounts on the back dropout so if I want to run guards & a rack, I'd have to double up. It's got a pretty high riding position, it's light (not that much heavier than my CAAD8), and even with the 35mm stock tyres, it's not that slow on the road (it's actually pretty a plush ride!). I bought last year's model here: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s23p5169/CANNONDALE-CAADX-SORA-2013 .


Tony.

 

[Paulq]

Wow - I REALLY like the Dolan and that seems excellent value for money too - they have an option for Campag which I am a fan of so I will call them tomorrow and see what they can do for me in terms of fit. The Croix de Fer looks excellent also and I am a big fan of Ridgeback in general but that's a bit too far north of budget for me I am afraid.

At second glance I'm a bit puzzled that their only tyre options for it are 700 x 23c. This can't be right for a CX surely?

 

[Paulq]

Quick update and info for anyone interested. Dolan don't offer a bike fit but have instead advised I get a fit done elsewhere and they will build the bike to those specs.

Not quite sure how that works......

 

[vickster]

If you do retul, you'll get a full fit spec. You need a bike though. Some fitters use a jig, maybe BG? Contact a specialized concept store maybe?

Dolan must be able to assess bike size, stem, bars I would think, even if they don't exactly position saddle etc

 

[Paulq]

They have recommended a frame size, stem length, bar width and crank length so I could order that. The reason I am hesitating is again because, if they get this wrong because e.g. I may have a long body and short legs, it's gonna mean extra outlay when I do get a fit. I called the BG store and, yep, you need a bike to go.

Chicken and egg time.

 

[vickster]

You need to hunt around and see which companies fit on a jig. Where do you live?

Like Pearsons in Sheen http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/content/68/CycleFit/

Or go to Evans and get test riding

 

[Paulq]

I live in St Helens and that's a good idea that Vickster - will have a squiz.

 

[vickster]

Try these guys?

http://quinncycles.co.uk/bike-fitting/

You must be quite close to dolan too, so worth a visit?

 

[TissoT]

Paul Hewitt in Leyland for a independent good bike fit ..
Or pedal precession at the Manchester velo !

 

[Paulq]

I have used Quinn for many years and the lads in there are absolutely top notch. A previous bike I bought many years ago was fitted properly and I didn't have too many issues with it at all as they put me on the turbo and did it properly. However, a subsequent one a couple of years ago was more of a 'can you touch the floor job' job. I had forgotten about them tbh as not been in for a long time but will give them a call and see if they will do one on the turbo for me.

 

[vickster]

That certainly isn't what their website suggests

 

[Paulq]

Nope - I think it depends who you get in the shop tbh. If you read it it actually does say 'all road bikes get a free bike fitting'.......

 

[vickster]

Go in when it's quiet, explain your issue and ask for the manager